Winston the dog gone, again

In this file photo, Winston, an English bulldog, rides down Main Street in Anderson. Winston is the mascot of The Fox.

ANDERSON - The English bulldog who has taken residence on Main Street in Anderson has disappeared again.

The dog, Winston, is owned by the owner of The Fox pub downtown, John Martin, and he was last seen about 11 a.m. Friday, Anderson police spokesman Tony Tilley said.

"He did come over to the police department and file a report that the dog was stolen," Tilley said. "There were no other details."

Purebred dogs can cost hundreds of dollars, Tilley said, and the police regularly get complaints of such animals disappearing.

In December 2009, Winston disappeared for a day when a couple picked up the dog and later claimed they hadn't realized he had an owner. At the time, Martin told police the couple had initially asked for $500 for Winston's return, though money was never exchanged and charges not pursued.

"It's bizarre," Tilley said.

Since then, Winston has been a minor celebrity locally, lazing un-tethered in the sun in front of the restaurant and — in October 2010 — sharing grand marshal duties with Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts during the annual Memory Walk fund-raiser for the Alzheimer's Association. Winston was also grand marshal of last year's Walk with the Docs fund-raiser.

Martin could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon, but he posted a plea on the restaurant's Facebook page for information on Winston's whereabouts.

"ATTENTION FB friends, fans & family. I can't believe I have to do this again!" Martin wrote. "This morning at approx 11 a.m. Winston, our bulldog was taken from the Fox. We believe it was men in a truck collecting salvage around the area. If anyone sees him please alert the authorities immediately and contact me as well."